Game of Thrones: 5 Reasons Arya is the Best

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Arya Stark is still alive and wandering Westeros looking for vengeance. And here's why she's become the most satisfying character on the series.

By Matt Fowler

Haven't caught up on Game of Thrones? Then what in the name of the Seven are you doing here? This piece is filled with spoilers for the entire HBO series up through the Season 4 premiere, "Two Swords."

While it's a slight exaggeration to say that there are no more heroes left on Game of Thrones, the cold truth is that their numbers have grown frighteningly thin. Only four Starks (and one Stark-related Snow) remain and none of them are in any position to challenge the Lannisters for the Iron Throne much less seek revenge for the death of Ned, Catelyn, and Robb. And those out there who still may have designs on ruling Westeros, like Stannis and Balon, are far from virtuous. Daenerys sees the Iron Throne in her future but she's currently deeply embedded in a mission to destroy slavery in Essos.

1,2, Arya's coming for you...

Bran and Jon are far North, Sansa is a "kept" woman, and Rickon has retreated to Parts Unknown. The only Stark pup still out there wandering the wastelands is Arya. Sweet, little lethal Arya. The young girl who saw her father (and countless others) murdered before her eyes and now goes to bed every night listing off names of those she wants to disembowel.

Game of Thrones doesn't play by normal storytelling rules. Those we expect to win, don't. Those who stand up to evil are crushed. Hell, Daenerys has several bones to pick with the Lannisters, and could one day scorch the entire countryside with her dragons, but her story's just not headed that way (yet?). Arya, however, has the potential to payoff. She's now a harsh and hardened orphan of the war, ready to spill blood. And every Lannister lackey she kills in the name of the "One True God," fills us with joy and satisfaction.

Arya has the potential to grow up and become The Punisher of Westeros. I know that George R. R. Martin is not likely to make it that simple, but I think I'm with everyone here when I say that Arya must avenge. At this point, she is us. And she is awesome. Here are five reasons why the little terror tyke is so damn great.

I'm From Winterfell and I Say Kill 'Em All

Not only have we watched Arya grow up, but we've watched the killer within her blossom. Her first kill was by mistake - a stable boy who planned on turning her in. From there, she started naming people she wanted dead, and "Faceless Man" Jaqen H'ghar obliged. By the time the Red Wedding was over and done with, Arya was ready to start stabbing anyone wearing Lannister colors.

And then during the Season 4 premiere, Arya finally became Hit Girl to The Hound's Big Daddy - slicing her way through a couple creeps in a tavern and reclaiming Needle from the rotten monster who took it from her.

Finish him!

The look on Polliver's face right before he died was crucial. Because we had to see that he realized who she was right before his lights went out. It's one thing to kill, and it's another to have your victim know why they're dying.

Arya's pain represents our pain. While everyone else is caught up in the Wildling Invasion, the Freeing of Slaves, and perpetual King's Landing intrigue, she's out there running her sword through evildoers.

Closed Casket

Another cool element to Arya is that, aside from the few who've ridden with her along her harrowing journey, the top brass thinks she's dead. Technically, she hasn't been seen since Ned's execution, having been cleverly disguised as a sooty-faced boy by the Night's Watch's Yoren. And some of the best parts of the entire series came when she served as Tywin's cupbearer, hiding in plain sight right under his nose.

What a perfect element to have for a slow-boil revenge story! One of the most crucial ingredients needed for becoming a vigilante is undisturbed time away. Ask Batman, Green Arrow, Lone Ranger, and Jack Bauer. You've got to get off the grid. Make people think you're not even a part of the equation anymore. Then, years later, you strike. And say something cool like "Valar Morghulis, bitch!"